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The skin and eyes were sallow The stench in the roo with clenched pain "Paedrin," he croaked

Seeing the agony in his master’s eyes shook him to his core Shivu was Vaettir-born Paedrin could not rele time he had ever been ill Now he looked like a desiccated leaf, tre for the ste to him He reached to take the bony hand, but a subtle nod bid him stop

"I…I…hoped you…would come Grieve not for…me" His breath was shallow, full of pain "I will…rest…soon"

"Master," Paedrin said, shaking his head Tears stung his eyes How could he not grieve for the man? "I need your help But I cannot leave you like this There are Druidecht who can heal you If I can take you away fro sound came from Master Shivu’s throat "Too…late No keraic He will not…heal ry for my refusal Seek…the Shatalin temple, Paedrin Seek…the sword You will need it…to survive" His eyes closed "Scourgelands To survive…"

"But where is the Shatalin temple?" Paedrin pleaded He wiped his eyes furiously, unable to prevent the pain of his breaking heart "Where do I look, Master?"

"The Vaettir…arrived…by sea Shatalin The ocean…west Fog and mists Rocks and mountains Beyond Stonehollow Seek Lydi Shipyards They will knohere…in the mountains When the ships ca Bhikhu Separate fro His whole body tres to his neck muscles He moaned and reeled, struck by another fierce wave of pain The bed started to rattle with his convulsions Paedrin stared at him helplessly He wished Khiara had been there, ith a touch could have cal his master to suffer

A bony hand grabbed his wrist Master Shivu’s face was contorted "Forgive therief His heart was nearly bursting "Who?"

"This is not the Plague Romani poison"

Paedrin stared at hiasped

"Sanchein," Shivu gasped "Tell him The Preachán"

Sanchein hovered at the doorway He enteredtears froreat secret "He arrived notfor you"

"Who was?" Paedrin sta about?"

"A Preachán fellow, claiic fro a fight He said the Bhikhu cannot have treasure and he wanted it back or ten thousand ducats Master Shivu sent him away He said that you had been executed by the Arch-Rike and that the tery but he left with a surly expression That night is when the first signs of sickness caripped Sanchein’s arht in despair, his heart shuddering at the realization He reht in Havenrook when the mob had co, he had dispersed the crowd, but one ed hier imbued with power Paedrin had broken both of the man’s arms and had assumed it would take months for hi was for sale

The realization struck hie He knew Paedrin was fro retribution He had probably observed the temple for a day or two, learned about their mealtimes And then he had poisoned the food or the ith monkshood, the poison Hettie had told him about Only the Romani knew the cure

What have I done? he shouted at hiony and stared into his

"Forgive," Shivu whispered "Uddhava will not save e will not…raise the dead Restore the Shatalin tean to heave "Restore the Shatalin tee "Stop the Arch-Rike!"